TROY, Mich. – Gabriel has announced the first place, $1,000-winning photo in its “Share Your Independent Spirit” Facebook photo contest.
 
Photo submission “Wes vs. Wyle E.” received the most votes in the voting phase of the contest. It can be seen on the Gabriel “Share Your Independent Spirit” Facebook photo contest page.

The contest was designed to encourage and honor the independent spirit of Gabriel, its customers and their “rides.”
 
“Wes vs. Wyle E. was selected as a finalist because it displayed creativity, a sense of humor and it showed the vehicle owner interacting with his vehicle in an independent, unique way,” said Lisa Bahash, president and CEO, Gabriel. “This spirit of independence is what Gabriel’s 104-year heritage is based upon, and it is something we respect and share with our customers.”
 
The second- and third-place winners, “Big Red and the Kids” and “This is definitely NOT a minivan!” were neck-and-neck as vote-getters. Each receives $500.
 
The contest began Sept. 8, with a two-month photo submission phase that ended on Nov. 11. Ten finalists were selected by a panel of judges based on the rules of the contest. Voting was then opened up to the public from Nov. 14 to Dec. 3.
 
Individuals were encouraged to vote early and often and to invite friends to vote at the Original Gabriel “Share Your Independent Spirit” photo contest on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/shareyourspirit/contests/144885. Individuals could vote up to three times per day with a maximum of one vote per finalist entry per day.